NetApp and Syncsort Team to Thwart EMC

NetApp and Syncsort are joining forces to deliver an integrated data protection solution that takes aim at EMC. NetApp Syncsort Integrated Backup (NSB) delivers backup and recovery targeting midmarket companies with heterogeneous secondary storage environments. The solution is differentiated by low-impact virtual machine data protection that reduces backup time and provides advanced DR capabilities-all at an attractive price point.

NetApp and Syncsort have long been partners. They've kicked the relationship up a notch with this announcement since they're offering an integrated solution via mutual distributors (Arrow and Avnet) and resellers. How integrated is integrated? Well, the actual packaging for each vendor's component is separate; IT organizations procure NetApp FAS disk systems, NetApp Protection Pack software, and Syncsort BEX data protection software via a single distributor SKU. The integration is more in how the solutions work together. Syncsort BEX clients work with NetApp APIs to invoke SnapVault-to create point-in-time backup copies stored on another NetApp system. The backup data path is BEX client direct to NetApp FAS storage, with no device server required. There's a BEX Master server on the network, but it serves as the central point of management, the policy engine, and the backup catalog. Offsite copies can be facilitated by NetApp SnapMirror (which enables site-to-site mirroring) or physical tape.

The key benefit is simplicity and ease-of-use. It's also cost-effective-not only because it's an integrated hardware/software solution, but because it includes replication to facilitate DR at no additional cost and has integrated deduplication to optimize network bandwidth and storage capacity. The solution is designed to be cost competitive at 40% less than comparable EMC offerings.

Recovery is a big focus, too. Recovery options range from catalog searchable snapshots, mountable snapshot images, and integrated virtual machine recovery as well as recovery from physical tape. Syncsort's secret weapon for server virtualization environments, such as VMware (EMC Avamar's sweet spot), is its ability to provide P2V and V2V recovery via a bootable virtual machine based on any backup image.

The Syncsort-NetApp solution provides a boost to backup and recovery ... and each company's competitiveness. Syncsort benefits from the heightened exposure to NetApp's channel partners. NetApp gains technology integration that complements its data protection portfolio, offering its clients a more full-featured solution. And, the combined solution is compelling versus EMC's portfolio. Sounds like a win-win-win ... for NetApp, Syncsort, and NSB customers.

Read more of Lauren's blog entries at Data Protection Perspectives.